This document discusses beneficial insects that can help with pest control on farms. It introduces common groups of predatory insects like assassin bugs, damsel bugs, big-eyed bugs, lacewings, ladybugs, soldier beetles and ground beetles. These predators hunt and consume other insects as well as their eggs and larvae. Maintaining habitat diversity can support populations of these beneficial insects to naturally regulate pest insects. The document encourages working with the NRCS to use conservation programs to create habitats for beneficial predators and other insects.

1. Photo credit: Nancy Adamson
Na#ve Beneficial Insects for Pest Control
& How to Enhance Habitat to Support Them
paper wasp sipping nectar
from an extrafloral nectary—
the plant’s invita=on to
predators to hang around

2. spo?ed lady beetle on wild
bergamot, Monarda fistulosa
Thank you & SSAWG for being & suppor#ng healthy farms & communi#es!
…and many excellent scien=sts,
conserva=onists, and farmers
Financial support from
§ Xerces Society Members
§ NRCS East Na=onal Tech Center
§ Turner Founda=on
§ Disney Worldwide Conserva=on Fund
§ C.S. Fund
§ Whole Foods Market & their vendors
§ Organic Valley FAFO
§ Organic Farming Research Founda=on
§ Nat’l Ins=tute of Food & Agric., USDA
§ Cinco
§ Clif Bar Family Founda=on
§ Alice C. Tyler Perpetual Trust
§ Sarah K. de Coizart Ar=cle TENTH
Perpetual Charitable Trust
§ The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust
§ EarthShare (CFC #18360)
§ Endangered Species Chocolate
§ The Metabolic Studio
§ The Ceres Founda=on
§ & many others…
Photo: Nancy Adamson

3. Photo: Nancy Adamson
meadow near Carthage, NC
Xerces Society & NRCS partnering for conserva#on
Xerces-NRCS partner biologists support pollinator habitat crea#on and
management, which benefits other beneficial insects and wildlife
Since 1971, the Xerces Society has worked to protect wildlife
through the conserva=on of invertebrates and their habitat.
Xerces blue bu?erfly (Glaucopsyche xerces),
the first U.S. bu?erfly to go ex=nct due to
human ac=vi=es.
www.xerces.org

4. To learn more visit www.xerces.org
The Xerces Society: Conserva#on Resource Center

5. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Farm Bill Pollinator (& Other Beneficials) Habitat Provisions
• Pollinators a priority for all USDA land managers & conserva#onists
• Encouraging inclusion of pollinators in all USDA conserva#on programs--
adding diversity to plant mixes & promo9ng IPM at NRCS
sweat bee, Agapostemon sp.
on annual sunflower,
Helianthus annuus
h?p://plants.usda.gov/pollinators/nrcsdocuments.html

6. State and regional Technical Notes
Farming for Pollinators & Pest Management brochures
Agroforestry Notes
PLANTS Database
NRCS Plant Material Centers
USDA-NRCS Resources —Talk with your District Conserva=onist!

7. Talk Outline
Photo: Nancy Adamson
• Importance of pest control by wild insects
• Common “beneficial insect” groups
• Enhancing farm diversity
• NRCS programs
• Addi=onal resources
syrphid fly adult on rosinweed, Silphium sp.

8. Losey & Vaughan. 2006. The Economic Value of Ecological Services Provided by Insects. Bioscience 56
(4). Pimental et al. 1997. Economic and Environmental Benefits of Biodiversity. BioScience:47 (11)
Photo © Margy Green, www.margygreen.com
Importance of beneficial insects for pest control
Conserva#on Biological Control: The es=mated value of pest control by wild
insects is $4.5–12 billion annually for U.S. crops, and $100 billion worldwide.

9. Photo © Margy Green, www.margygreen.com; Nancy Adamson
parasitoid wasp a?acking a
mo?led tortoise beetle
Where there are pests, there are predators & parasitoids
…but it is easy to miss them
assassin bug nymph blending in
with narrow-leaved sunflower

10. Common Beneficial Insects* for Pest Conrol Groups: Introduc#on
Beneficial Insects
• AKA
• “Natural Enemies”
• “Biocontrol Agents”
• Perform ecosystem services
• Regulate insect pests
Photo: Nancy Adamson
crab spider on
Barbara’s bu?ons,
Marshallia sp.
*We use the term to refer to all
arthropods that are beneficial for
agricultural, not just true insects.

11. Common Beneficial Insects for Pest Control Groups: Introduc#on
Common Beneficial Insect Groups
• Insect Predators
• Insect Parasitoids
o Generalist vs. Specialists
• Non-insects
Spiders, harvestmen, cen=pedes,
mites, pseudoscorpions,
nematodes
Many are also pollinators:
Flies, wasps, beetles
Photo credit: Alex Wild
Lacewing larva consuming aphid
& parasitzed aphid mummies

12. Graphis from Habitat Planning for Beneficial Insects by Xerces Soceity, p 37
Complete Metamorphosis
Immature and adult stages differ in form,
diet, and habitat
e.g. Beetles, flies, wasps, lacewings
Incomplete Metamorphosis
Nymphs (immature insects) resemble
smaller versions of adults
e.g. True bugs, praying mantis
Insect Life Cycles

13. Common Na#ve Beneficial Insect Info—Download from www.xerces.org
All the common na#ve
beneficial slide info that
follows is covered in this free
guide (in even more detail).
The addi=onal resources (sign-
up for emailed copy) include a
direct link, but you can search
Google with “Xerces Habitat
Planning” to find it.

14. Common Beneficial Insect Groups: Predators
Predators hunt, kill, and then consume
• Commonly generalists
- Feed on a variety of prey
- Can feed even when primary prey not present
• Ravenously feed
Photo credit: Thelma Heidel-Baker, USFWS flickr-CC2.0
Spo?ed lady beetle (let) and s=nk bug ea=ng a caterpillar (right)

15. Common Predators: True Bugs
Assassin Bugs and Ambush Bugs
• Large insects (some over 1 inch in length)
• Both nymphs and adults predatory
• Overwinter in leaf li?er, under bark; may drink nectar
• Aggressive predators, oten of larger insects: beetles,
caterpillars, leauoppers
Photo credit: Tom Po?erfield, Thelma Heidel0Baker
Assassin bug consuming prey
Ma=ng ambush bugs

16. • Fast moving, small predator, aptly named
Photos: Nancy Adamson
Common Predators: True Bugs--Ambush Bugs

17. Common Predators: True Bugs
Damsel Bugs
• Fast moving, small (1/2”)
• Enlarged forelegs
• Both nymphs and adults predatory
• Overwinter under field debris, mulch, brush
• Prey on small insects and eggs: aphids,
leauoppers, diversity of eggs
Photo credits: Thelma Heidel-Baker, Brenda Dobbs flickr-CC2.0, Nancy Adamson
Damsel bug nymph
Damsel bug ant mimic

18. Common Predators: True Bugs
Big-eyed Bugs and Minute Pirate Bugs
• Tiny to small (2-5 mm)
• Adults and nymphs predaceous
• Overwinter in leaf li?er, under bark
• Prey on many small pests, can seek out
prey at low densi=es
Photo credits: Russ O?ens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org, , Jack Dykinga, USDA-ARS

19. Common Predators: Man#ds
• Not very effec=ve for targeted pest control
• Non-na=ve species more common than na=ve
Photo credit: Mace Vaughan

20. Common Predators: Lacewings
• More ac=ve in cool weather than other predators
• Larvae can travel >100 t. on foliage in search of prey
• Larvae can consume 400+ aphids per week
• Overwinter in leaf li?er, soil, under bark
• Adults eat nectar, pollen
Photo credits: Sarah Foltz Jordan, Sylvia Delfino, Thelma Heidel-Baker

21. Common Predators: Lady Beetles
• Predatory during all life stages
• Adults also feed on pollen and nectar
• Individuals may consume as many as 5,000 aphids in
their life=me
• Overwinter under vegeta=on or bark
Photo credits: Thelma Heidel-Baker, Alex Wild
Lady beetle eggs

22. Common Predators: Fireflies
• Actually are beetles!
• Moist habitats
• Prey on snails, slugs, caterpillars
• Some adults feed on nectar and
pollen (na=ve Asteraceae)
Photo credits: Sarah Foltz Jordan, Thelma Heidel-Baker, Katja Schulz (flickr-CC)

23. Common Predators: Soldier Beetles
• Predatory as larvae and adults
• Adults need nectar and pollen (goldenrod!)
• Ac=ve at cooler temperatures than many
insects
• Overwinter in leaf li?er or loose soil
Photo credit: Debbie Roos, Dan Mullen, flickr-CC2.0
Red soldier beetle

24. Common Predators: Ground Beetles
• Ground dwelling (under debris, bunch grass, logs,
cracks in soil)
• Prey on caterpillars, grasshoppers, other beetles
• Consume body weight in prey daily, kill more prey
than they can eat
• Non prey foods include seeds, pollen, detritus
Photo credits: Sarah Foltz Jordan, squamatologist, flickr-CC2.0

25. Common Predators: Flower Flies/Hover Flies
• Predaceous larvae: A single larvae
can eat hundreds of aphids a week
• Adults feed on pollen and nectar
• Overwinter in leaf li?er or soil
Photo credits: Mario Ambrosino, Sarah Foltz Jordan
Larva ea=ng
an aphid

26. Common Predators: Predatory Wasps
• Females feed larvae with prey
• Adults feed on flower nectar
• Common prey includes caterpillars
• Nest in ground, tunnel cavi=es
Photo credits: Sarah Foltz Jordan, Nancy Adamson
Sphecid wasp with caterpillar

27. Common Beneficial Insect Groups: Parasitoids
• Lay eggs on or in hosts or host eggs
• Larva feeds and eventually kills host
• Highly effec=ve pest control
• Wasps and flies
Photo credits: : Thelma Heidel-Baker, Ma?hew Roth, and Alex Wild
S=nk bug egg parasitoid
Aphid being parasi=zed Parasitoid pupae on hornworm

28. Common Beneficial Insect Groups: Parasitoid Wasps
• Huge diversity
• Overwinter within host
• Most parasitoids are specialists
• Prey are limited to a
par=cular insect groups or
species
• Persist in environments
with low-levels of prey
• Adults are nectar-feeding
Photo credit: MJ Ha{ield
Parasitoid wasps emerging from
parasi=zed s=nk bug eggs

29. Common Beneficial Insect Groups: Parasitoid Wasps
Parasitoids: recognizing their damage to hosts
(pests) easier than seeing insect itself
• How to recognize a parasi=zed insect
Photo credit: Sarah Foltz Jordan
Parasi=zed aphid,
called a “mummy”

30. Common Beneficial Insect Groups: Parasitoid Flies
Parasitoid Flies
• S=ff bristles on abdomen
• Parasitoids of many pests
• Some a?racted to the ma=ng
signals of their prey
Photos: Bill Bouton; leaf-footed bug by Nancy Adamson
Tachinid fly eggs on gypsy moth
caterpillar & leaf-footed bug

31. Common Beneficial Insect Groups: Non-Insects
Non-Insect Beneficial Groups
• Spiders
• Predatory mites
• Nematodes
• Entomopathogenic fungi
Photo credits: Dave Biddinger, Bryan Reynolds, Sarah Foltz Jordan

32. Photos: crab spider on sourwood & lynx spider on rosinweed by Nancy Adamson; close-up jumping spider by Bryan Reynolds
Common Beneficial Insect Groups: Spiders
• Huge diversity:
Orb-weavers, sheet-weaving spiders, wolf
spiders, and jumping spiders all important
predators
• Both immatures and adults are predators
• Generalist predators, do not discriminate
• Can live in crop canopy or on soil
• Some species need structure for webs,
others need leaf li?er
Riechert, S. E. and T. Lockley. 1984. Spiders as biological
control agents. Annual Review of Entomology 29: 299-320.
Spiders also protect a lot of seeds!! (Na=ve plant seed
research opportunity!)

33. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Protect,
Enhance, &
Create Habitat
male sweat bees, Halictus ligatus,
sheltering from the rain under wingstem
flowers

34. /
Photo: Nikki Siebert
Will providing habitat increase pest pressure?
Natural enemy ac=vity and crop pollina=on by wild
bees is greater in landscapes with diverse habitats
Bianchi, F. J. J. A., C. J. H. Booij, and T. Tscharntke. 2011. Sustainable pest regula=on in agricultural landscapes: a
review on landscape composi=on, biodiversity and natural pest control. Proc. R. Soc. B 273: 1715-1727.
Forehand, L. M., D. B. Orr, and H. M. Linker. 2006. Insect communi=es associated with beneficial insect habitat
plants in North Carolina. Environmental Entomology 35 (6): 1541-159.
Pollinator plan=ng at Dirt Works Incubator Farm, a project of
Lowcountry Local First at Rosebank Farms near Charleston,
SC

35. Photos: Nancy Adamson, Thelma Heidel-Baker
Lacewing larva feeding
on soybean aphids
great golden digger
wasp on dogbane
(Tscharntke T., Steffan-Denwenter, I., Kruess, A., and Thies, C. 2002. Contribu=on of small habitat fragments to
conserva=on of insect communi=es of grassland-cropland landscapes. Ecological Applica=ons 12(2): 354-363.
Providing & protec#ng habitat reduces pest problems
Research demonstrates that if more than 20% of a farm is diverse habitat,
pest control by beneficial insects (“natural enemies” of pests) is effec=ve

36. Protec#ng & Restoring Pollinator, Predator, Parasitoid (& Prey) Habitat
.
Easy
Less Easy
• Protec=ng naturally diverse areas (not exactly easy…)
• Managing for early successional habitat (fallow, mowing to maintain
na=ve wildflowers/shrubs/berries, =mber thinning, prescribed fire)
• Diverse flowering cover crops
• Establishing na=ve hedgerows
• Establishing na=ve wildflower meadows
A Spectrum of Approaches
Photo: Nancy Adamson

37. Habitat through the growing season—na=ve trees, shrubs, and wildflowers
Photos: Elaine Haug NRCS, Ma?hew Shepherd; Mace Vaughan, Eric Mader, Jeff McMillan NRCS, Berry Botanic Garden, Nancy Adamson
maple, Acer
wild indigo,
Bap9sia
goldenrod, Solidago,
Euthamia,Oligoneuron
willow,
Salix
mountain mint,
Pycnanthemum
aster, Eurybia.
Symphyotrichum,
Ionac9s
blazing star,
Liatris
Pollinators, predators, & parasitoids need food (nectar, pollen, or prey) and refuge
when crops are harvested or pes=cides used.

38. Photo: Sudie Daves Thomas, SC NRCS
Donahue pine flatwood
in South Carolina
What is the history of the site? Was it previously cul=vated?
If not, the exis#ng seed bank may be the most appropriate seed source.
Before you plant: Is seeding appropriate?*
*For help determining if plan=ng is appropriate, see Norman Melvin’s “decision
sequence keys” in Wetlands Restora-on, Enhancement, and Management
h?p://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs143_010838.pdf

39. Xerces Guides for Assessing Habitat Needs
Seeing the landscape from an
insect’s perspec#ve
§ Landscape-level & site-level
h?p://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conserva=on/habitat-assessment-guides/

40. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Carolina Bay in NC restored
with thinning & burning
Bringing in sunlight by thinning & burning may be the best restora=on strategy
“Daylight” the seed bank to restore diversity
Restora#on prac#ces to
enhance floral diversity—
these are all NRCS
conserva#on prac#ces
• Prescribed forestry, burning
or grazing
• Restora=on & management
of rare & declining habitat
• Early successional habitat
development
• Wetland enhancement,
restora=on, or wildlife
habitat management
• Silvopasture establishment

41. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Enhancing Plant Diversity
Enhances Insect Diversity
syphid fly (bee mimic) on swamp
milkweed, Asclepias incarnata

42. Acer spp., maple
Amelanchier spp., serviceberry
Asimina spp., pawpaw
Crataegus spp., hawthorn
Halesia spp., silverbell
Malus spp., crab apple
Prunus spp., cherry
Salix spp., willow
Photo: Nancy Adamson
carpenter bee heading to southern
crab apple, Malus angus9folia
Early spring trees

43. andrenid or mining bee, Andrena sp. on
willow,Salix sp., Blue Ridge Parkway, NC, April
(some Andrena are willow specialists)
Willow: Excellent early spring pollen & nectar source that also keeps creeks healthy!
Photo: Nancy Adamson

44. Diospyros virginiana, persimmon
Ilex spp., holly
Liriodendron tulipifera, tulip tree
Nyssa spp., black gum
Oxydendron arboreum, sourwood
Robinia pseudoacacia, black locust
Tillia spp., basswood
Photo: Nancy Adamson
bumble bee on black locust,
Robinia pseudoacacia
Mid-late spring trees

45. crab apple
Malus sp.
Photo by Anne?e Meredith, h?p://www.natureonourdoorstep.com/

46. Acer spp., maple
Amelanchier spp., serviceberry
Cersis canadensis, redbud
Gaylussacia spp., huckleberry
Ilex spp., holly
Rhododendron spp., azalea,
rhododendron
Salix spp., willow
Staphylea trifolia, bladdernut
Styrax spp., snowbell
Vaccinium spp., blueberry,
cranberry, sparkleberry
sparkleberry,
Vaccinium arboreum
Early spring shrubs and small trees
Photo: Nancy Adamson

47. leafcutter bee, Megachile
sp., and sweat bee, Halictus
parallelus, on winged
sumac, Rhus copallina
Aesculus spp., buckeye
Ceanothus americanus, NJ tea
Fothergilla spp., fothergilla
Ilex spp., holly
Leucothoe spp., doghobble
Lyonia spp., maleberry
Rhododendron spp., azalea,
rhododendron
Rhus spp., sumac
Rosa spp., rose
Rubus spp., blackberry, black
raspberry, dewberry
Mid-late spring shrubs and small trees
Shrubs and small trees provide shelter and food through the winter.
Photo: Nancy Adamson

48. Aralia spinosa, Devil’s
walkings=ck
Ceanothus americanus, NJ tea
Cephalanthus occidentalis,
bu?onbush
Clethra alnifolia, sweet
pepperbush
Diervilla sessilifolia, bush-
honeysuckle
Hydrangea spp., wild
hydrangea
Hypericum spp., shrubby St.
Johns-wort
Itea virginica, sweetspire
Rosa spp., wild rose (pasture
& Carolina)
Spiraea, meadowsweet
Photo: Dennis Burne?e, Carolina Bu?erfly Society
=ger swallowtail on bu?onbush,
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Summer shrubs

49. Beardtongue, golden Alexanders, blackeyed Susan, spiderwort, goat’s rue, American
wild carrot, coneflower, coreopsis, spider bee balm, wild bergamot, violet, mountain
mint, lilies, fleabane, sneezeweed, wingstem, goldenrod, =ck trefoil, Joe-pye weed,
milkweed, blazing star, passionflower, sunflower, ironweed, gen=an, bidens, aster…
Wildflowers through the season for beneficial insects & other wildlife
Photo: Nancy Adamson

50. • ~80% decline in monarch bu?erflies since ~2000 in corn/soybean ag regions and
~60% decline in milkweeds
• Tremendous diversity in milkweeds--great poten=al to expand use
• .
Photos: Nancy Adamson
Na#ve Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.)
Pleasants, J. M., Oberhauser, K. S. 2012.Milkweed loss in agricultural fields because of herbicide use: effect on the monarch
bu?erfly popula=on. Insect Conserva9on and Diversity. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-4598.2012.00196.x.
green milkweed,
A. viridiflora ↓
purple milkweed, A. purpurascens ↓
poke milkweed,
A. exaltata ↓
swamp milkweed,
A. incarnata
fourleaf milkweed,
A. quadrifolia

51. Na=ve pollinators visi=ng na=ve plants through the growing season (generally
h?ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nisyGsfoyVk

52. Cover crops
• Legumes: red, white,
crimson clover; Austrian
winter pea; alfalfa; alfalfa,
vetch, soybean
• Broadleaf forbs:
buckwheat, phacelia,
sesame
• Grasses: rye, oats,
Sudangrass
Herbs
• Annual: basil, borage, tulsi
(holy basil), dill, cilantro
• Perennial: catmint,
spearmint, oregano, sage
Annuals
• Annual sunflower, zinnia,
cosmos, scarlet sage
Photos: Nancy Adamson
Common cover crops, herbs, & annuals for beneficials
red
clover
borage buckwheat
crimson
clover
sunflower

53. • Avoid prophylac=c use
• Avoid applying before or during bloom
• Avoid repeat annual use, esp. in perennial crops (applica=ons can persist 4-5 years)
• NOTE: Some recommended neonic product rates on household vs. ag products 100X ag
rates, so lethal (homeowners don’t realize home products less regulated than ag)
• Stop “cosme=c” (vs. ag) use (h?p://www.beecityusa.org/)
Reducing harm from neonico#noids & other pes#cides
Photo: Nancy Adamson
bumble bee on blueberry
h?p://xerces.org/pes=cides/

54. Fallow Area Case Study: Canola in Canada
In the absence of honey bees, canola
growers make more money on their land if
30% is in natural habitat, rather than
plan=ng it all.
Simply leaving fallow areas can support diversity & increase produc#on
Photo: Mace Vaughan
Morandin, L., and M. Winston. 2006. Pollinators provide
economic incen=ve to preserve natural land in agroecosystems.
Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 116:289-292.

55. Unmown perennial & annual grasses (not just corn) provide food & shelter
Photo: Nancy Adamson
bumble bee loading up on corn pollen—many bees,
including honey bees will gather the pollen
CAUTION: Keep adjacent crops or crop rota#on in mind
Dunbar, M.W., O’Neal, M.E. and Gassmann, A.J. 2016. Increased risk of insect injury to corn
following rye cover crop. Journal of Economic Entomology, 1-7. DOI: 10.1093/jee/tow101.
Cool & warm season grasses are mul#purpose: Fibrous-rooted, some deep-rooted,
a?ract beneficials, provide green manure & living mulch

56. Photo: Grinnell Heritage Farm; Bugwood
Example: Grinnell Heritage Farm Beetle Bank, Iowa
• Permanent na=ve grass strips intercropped with vegetables
• These also support spiders, bumble bees, & other beneficials
Pasimachus ground beetle
Beetle banks with perennial grasses reduce weed pressure & reduce pests
Blake, R.J., Woodcock, B.A., Westbury, D.B., Su?on, P. and
Po?s, S.G. 2013. Novel management to enhance spider
biodiversity in exis=ng grass buffer strips. Agricultural and
Forest Entomology, 15(1):77-85.
Firefly beetle

57. • Tillage nega=vely impacts both larval & adult ground beetles that eat weed seeds
• Tilled areas reduced egg-laying rate by female ground beetles
• Reducing =llage also benefits groundnes=ng bee popula=ons
Blubaugh, C and Kaplan, I. 2015. Tillage compromises weed seed predator
ac=vity across developmental stages. Biological Control. 81:76-82.
Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker
Reduce #llage or #llage depth to support groundnesters

58. Photos: Nancy Adamson
Daisy fleabane, Erigeron, a?racts Lygus bugs and its
parasitoid away from co?on; plus excellent for pollinators
“Messy” edges provide great habitat (add a habitat sign!)
Halloran, S.T., Mauck, K.E., Fleisher, S.F. and Tumlinson, J.H. 2013. Vola=les from intact and
Lygus-damaged Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. are highly a?rac=ve to oviposi=ng Lygus and its
parasitoid Peristenus relictus Ruthe. Journal of chemical ecology, 39(8):1115-1128.

59. Photo: Dennis Burne?e, Carolina Bu?erfly Society
gemmed satyr
Enodia anthedon
Gemmed satry larvae (caterpillars) eat river oats, Chasmanthium spp.
Grasses are host plants, provide shelter, & are fuel for prescribed fire
Grasses are vital in fire adapted communi=es as fine fuel in meadows or forests.
They shelter groundnes=ng birds, bumblebees, and other wildlife.
They are host plants for larvae of grass skippers and some true bu?erflies.

60. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Cover Crops for
Beneficial Arthropods

61. Flowering legumes
Mul#-purpose: Fix nitrogen, a?ract
beneficials
Cool season annuals
• Crimson clover
• Austrian winter pea
Warm season annuals
• Partridge pea--use in rota=on with
cash crops
Perennials
• Red clover
• White clover
Photo: Nancy Adamson
partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
Example: Living Web Farm in NC
Kenny Haines story

62. Photo: Ma? Flint, NRCS ENTSC
Example: Flint Farm in NC
• Cow peas, like many peas, may not need a pollinator
and only a few pollinators can open the flower to reach
the floral nectaries
• Extrafloral nectaries provide nectar that a?racts
predators such as wasps and ants
Edible flowering legumes
Mul#purpose: Nitrogen-fixing, a?ract
beneficials, good ea=ng (cash crop)!
• Warm season
− Soybeans (edamame)
− Cowpeas
− Fava beans
− Field peas
− Chickpeas (has anyone tried?)
• Cool season
− Austrian winter pea (according to
Patryk one of the best for pea =ps)
For more on extrafloral nectaries:
h?p://
www.extrafloralnectaries.org/

63. Mul#-purpose: Edible,
support beneficial insects,
some good for cut flowers
• Borage
• Cilantro
• Dill
Photo: Nancy Adamson
Edible annual* herbs
• Fennel
• Holy basil, tulsi
*Perennials also excellent
assassin bug on fennel, Foeniculum vulgare

64. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Other Forbs
Mul#purpose: Most
edible, some help reduce
disease or break pest
cycles, some for cuÇng,
a?ract beneficials, some
for honey produc=on
• Buckwheat
• Brassicas: Canola, kale,
mustard, radish,
rutabaga, turnip,
• Chicory
• Flax
• Phacelia
• Safflower
• Sunflower
Example: Study in France found phacelia, buckwheat, and dill
best for increasing hoverfly oviposi=on success for pest control
Lauber=e, E.A., Wra?en, S.D. and Hemp=nne, J.L. 2012. The contribu=on of
poten=al beneficial insectary plant species to adult hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae)
fitness. Biological Control, 61(1):1-6.

65. Useful for beneficial
insects & for cut flowers
• Plains coreopsis
• Annual blanket flower
• Alyssum
• Bachelor’s bu?on*
• Cosmos*
• Zinnia
Photo: Nancy Adamson
*Can be aggressive
Other annual (or short-lived) forbs

66. High tunnel photo by Patryk Ba?le; inset longlegged fly by Beth Nelson
“Mixes” can be side-by-side
Example: Living Web Farm in Mills River, NC
Buckwheat and winter rye between cash crops

67. Mul#ple Benefits of Flowering Cover Crops
Healthy soils ensure healthy plants
• Fewer insect and disease problems
Photo: Dr. Lenny Wells
Georgia NRCS State Agronomist James Dangler shared this crimson clover photo by
Georgia’s Extension Hor=culture Agent Dr. Lenny Wells. For more on clover management
in pecans, visit Georgia h?p://extension.uga.edu/publica=ons/detail.cfm?number=B1360

68. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Flowering strips between crop rows
• Promote movement of beneficial insects in the INTERIOR of the farm
• Can be perennial or annual, na=ve or non-na=ve
• Must maintain free from pes=cides or drit
Cover Crop Insectary Strips*
*Insectary strips created with annuals are cover crops
Naranjo, S., Ellsworth, P., and Frisvold, G. 2015. Economic value of biological control in integrated
pest management of managed plant systems. Annual Review of Entomology 60:621-645.
Example: Whibed Bowers Farm, NC
Buckwheat between eggplant

69. Photo: Debbie Roos
Example: Ayrshire Farm, North Carolina
• Le?uce, fennel, and greens intercropped with crimson clover
• Mul#purpose: Insect forage, nitrogen-fixing, weed control,
added biodiversity, honey produc=on
Cover Crop Insectary Strips & Smother Crops
Rebek, E.J., Frank, S.D., Royer, T.A. and Bográn, C.E. 2012. Alterna=ves to
chemical control of insect pests. Insec9cides–Basic and Other Applica9ons, p.171.

70. Cover Crop Insectary Strips for Specific Crops (Soybean)
GA study: Nectar sources (buckwheat) in soybean supported increased (2½ =mes)
parasi=za=on of brown s=nk bugs (Glynn Tillman, USDA ARS, Crop Protec=on & Management
Research Lab, Titon, GA)
Telenomus podisi female
parasi=zing s=nk bug eggs
adult brown s=nk bug
Photo: Russ O?ens
Photo: h?p://zoo.bio.ufpr.br/biocontrol/entomofauna.html Laboratorio de Controle Integrado de Insetos (LCII)
h?p://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?accn_no=420801
Tillman, P. G. et al. 2015. Trap cropping systems and a physical barrier for suppression of s=nk
bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Co?on. J of Economic Entomology 108(5):2324-2334.

71. GA Study: Adding milkweed as a nectar source for a parasitoid fly led to 5X
greater parasi=za=on of southern green s=nk bug (G. Tillman)
Photo: Nancy Adason
common
milkweed,
Asclepias syriaca
Tillman, P. G., & Carpenter, J. E. (2014). Milkweed (Gen=anales: Apocynaceae): A Farmscape
Resource for Increasing Parasi=sm of S=nk Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Providing Nectar
to Insect Pollinators and Monarch Bu?erflies. Environmental entomology, 43(2), 370-376.
tachinid fly,
Trichopoda pennipes
Tachinid fly photo: Marvin Smith (Wikimedia Commons). Milkweed photo: Nancy Adamson
Cover Crop Insectary Strips for Specific Crops (Cobon)

72. Photos by Tessa Grasswitz, h?p://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H169/welcome.html
NM study:
• Pumpkins with
insectary strips had
more natural enemies
and fewer spo?ed
cucumber beetles
• Develop proper mix,
commercial mixes may
not fit all sites/crops
• Insectary plants can be
incorporated in cut
flower plots or in/near
high tunnels
Cover Crop Insectary Strips for Specific Crops (Pumpkin)
Grasswitz, T.R. 2013. Development of an insectary plant mixture for New Mexico and its effect on pests
and beneficial insects associated with pumpkins. Southwestern Entomologist, 38(3), pp.417-436.
Core plants: buckwheat, CA bluebell, dill, plains coreopsis
Addi#onal spp.: radish, CA poppy, yarrow, alyssum, coriander,
garland daisy, garden cosmos, =dy =ps, blanket flower

73. Werling, B.P., Harmon, J., Straub, C. and Gra?on, C., 2012.
Influence of na=ve North American prairie grasses on
preda=on of an insect herbivore of potato. Biological
Control, 61(1), pp.15-25.
WI study: Na=ve warm season perennial
grass strips (big blue & Indian) reduced
potato pest popula=ons with increases in
harvestmen and spiders
Cover Crop Insectary Strips for Specific Crops (Potato)
Photos: fields from Werling paper; Colorado potato beetle by Alex Anderwelt
potato monoculture
potato surrounded by bare area
potato surrounded by big
bluestem and Indian grass

74. Tschumi et al. 2016. Tailored flower strips promote natural enemy biodiversity
and pest control in potato crops. Journal of Applied Ecology .
European study: Annual flower strips provide benefits for pest control in potatoes
• Increased natural enemy abundance and diversity
• Increase of aphid natural enemies (lady beetles, lacewings, and hoverflies)
h?p://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.12653/abstract
Swiss study
plants:
dill
chamomile,
chervil
daisy
calendula
camelina
cornflower
cilantro
buckwheat
poppy
field mustard
Cover Crop Insectary Strips for Specific Crops (Potato)

75. Insectary plan#ngs can be incorporated in and around high tunnels
Photo: Ma?hew Shepherd
Cover Crop Insectary Strips, High Tunnels, & Hydroponic Systems
Tavares, J., Wang, K.H. and Hooks, C.R., 2015. An evalua=on of insectary plants for management of insect
pests in a hydroponic cropping system. Biological Control, 91, pp.1-9.

76. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Example: A&T Farm in NC (Dr. Louis Jackai in collabora#on with Virginia Tech)
• Mustards as trap crop for collards produc=on (cash) crop
Trap Crops (abract pests away from produc#on crop)
Wallingford et al. 2011 Harlequin bug biology and pest management in
Brassicaceous crops. J of Pest Management 2(1):1-4. DOI: 10.1603/IPM10015
mustard trap crop varie=es: old fashioned
and Florida broadleaf mustards

77. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Example: Dr. Ayanava Majumdar at Chilton Research and Educa=on Center in Clanton,
Alabama tes=ng sunflowers & sorghum as trap crop for tomatoes & squash
Trap Crops for Tomatoes & Squash—Perimeter Barrier
tachinid fly egg on
leaf-footed buy

78. Shelter and refuge
• Protec=on, ma=ng, egg-laying
• Stems, brush piles, rock piles, nes=ng
tubes, straw mulch, tossocks
Farm Management: Overwintering Sites
Overwintering sites and cover
• Overwinter in different life stages
• Undisturbed, un=lled areas with leaf
li?er, standing stems, ground cover, etc.
Photo: Kelly Gill

79. USDA Farm Bill Pollinator (& Other Beneficial Insect) Habitat Provisions
• Pollinators are a priority for every USDA land manager and conserva=onist
• Encourages inclusion of pollinators in all conserva=on programs
• Iden=fies pollinator habitat as a priority for EQIP (%5 targeted for wildlife)
• Requires that pollinators are considered in the review of Prac=ce Standards
Contact your local NRCS District Conserva#onist to learn more, www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov
bumble bee on blueberry
Photo: Nancy Adamson h?p://plants.usda.gov/pollinators/nrcsdocuments.html

80. Farm Bill Implementa#on: Prac#ces for Pollinators (+ Other Beneficials)
Core Programs for Pollinators
EQIP, CRP, CSP
Agencies:
Natural Resources Conserva=on Service (NRCS)
Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Tech Note 78
Using Farm Bill Programs for Pollinator
Conserva9on
Prac#ces for Pollinators
• Tree/Shrub Establishment
• Conserva=on Cover
• Hedgerow Plan=ng
• Field Border
• Restora=on and Management of Rare or
Declining Habitats
• Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
• Integrated Pest Management
• Early Successional Habitat Development/
Management
• many others h?p://plants.usda.gov/pollinators/NRCSdocuments.html

81. Tree & Shrub (612) or Hedgerow (422) Establishment
Plant flowering shrubs that bloom in succession. Design for mul=ple benefits, such as
wildlife, IPM, visual screen, aesthe=cs, and erosion control.
Photos: Nancy Adamson
NRCS Conserva#on Prac#ces for Pollinators
Van Burne?e planted shrubby St. John’s wort, na=ve bush honeysuckle and several
other na=ve shrubs to support pollina=on of his blueberries at Hopn’ Blueberry Farm.

82. Photo: Mace Vaughan
Buffers & filter strips can:
• Capture sediment & excess nitrogen,
increase infiltra=on to reduce flooding
• Reduce E. coli & Cryptosporidium in
run-off by as much as 99%.
Atwill, E. Tate, K. Pereira, M. 2006 Efficiency of natural grass buffers for removal
of Cryptosporidium parvum in rangeland runoff. J Food Protect. 69:177-84
Knox, A., Tate, K., Dahlgren, R. Atwill, E. 2007. Management reduces E. coli in
irrigated pasture runoff. California Agriculture. 61:4. 159.
Tate, K. Atwill, E. Bartholome, J. Nader, G. 2006. Significant E. coli a?enua=on by
vegeta=ve buffers on annual grasslands. J Env Qual. 35:795-805
NRCS Conserva#on Prac#ces for Pollinators
Field Border Prac#ce Standard (386): Can include a diverse mix of na=ve and low cost
non-na=ve plants

83. NRCS Conserva#on Prac#ces for Pollinators
Cover Crop (340)
Crops for seasonal cover and other conservation purposes
Photo: Ben Knox, NC Department of Agriculture
Crimson clover in Rowan County, NC
PURPOSE
• Reduce erosion
• Increase soil organic ma?er
• Capture and recycle nutrients
• Promote nitrogen fixa=on
• Suppress weeds
• Manage soil moisture
• Minimize soil compac=on
CONSIDERATIONS FOR POLLINATORS
• “Cocktails” may have more benefits than single species
• If possible, allow flowering before termina=ng
• Provide other pollen and nectar sources ater termina=ng

84. NRCS Conserva#on Prac#ces for Pollinators
Photo: Nancy Adamson
Example:
No-Cul#va#on Squash
• No-cul=va=on squash
farms in Virginia hosted
three =mes more ground-
nes=ng squash bees than
did conven=onal farms
No Till / Strip Till / Direct Seed (329)
Squash bee example
Shuler, et al. 2005. Farming Prac=ces
Influence Wild Pollinator Popula=ons on
Squash and Pumpkin. Journal of Economic
Entomology. 98(3):790-795

85. Conserva=on Reserve Program (CRP) Prac=ces that Support Pollinator Habitat
CP-2 Na=ve Grasses and Wildflowers
CP-3A Hardwood Tree Plan=ng
CP-4B Permanent Wildlife Habitat
CP-5A Field Windbreak
CP-16 Shelterbelt
CP-22 Riparian Buffer
FSA* Conserva#on Prac#ces for Pollinators
*NRCS provides technical support for
the Farm Service Agency Conserva=on
Reserve Program (CRP)
Photo: Brian Murphy, Virginia Tech
Murphy Farm Wildlife Habitat Plan=ng, New Castle, VA
CP-23 Wetland Restora=on
CP-25 Rare and Declining Habitats
CP-30 Marginal Pasture Wetland Buffer
CP-31 Bo?omland Timber
CP-33 Habitat Buffer for Upland Birds
CP-42 Pollinator Habitat

86. Long-term habitat management: Limit disturbance frequency and dura#on
Mowing, grazing, burning, disking are best at infrequent intervals
• Disturb no more than 1/3 of habitat area each year
• Time management for when most effec=ve against target, or during dormant season
• Early successional habitat is ideal; too much disturbance favors grasses over forbs
Photos: USDA-ARS, Nancy Adamson
NCTREX team burning a longleaf pine
savanna, February 2015
Managed intensive rota=onal grazing
helps restore plant roots & soil health

87. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Addi#onal Resources
male green sweat bee,
Agapostemon sp.,
visi=ng co?on flower

88. Addi#onal Informa#on

89. Further Informa#on: Na#ve Plant Database
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower
Center Recommended Species:
h?p://wildflower.org/collec=ons/
Special Collec=ons
• Bu?erflies and Moths
Value to Beneficial Insects
• Special Value to Na=ve Bees
• Special Value to Bumble Bees
• Special Value to Honey Bees
• Provide Nes=ng Materials/Structure for
Na=ve Bees
Click on a “Special Value”
category, then narrow to state,
habit, light & soil condi#ons, etc.

90. USDA PLANTS Database Cover Crops
h?p://plants.usda.gov/java/coverCrops
borage buckwheat
zinnia
clover

91. SARE Cover Crops Learning Center
h?p://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Topic-Rooms/Cover-Crops
borage buckwheat
zinnia
clover

92. SSARE & SARE’s Cover Cropping for Pollinators & (Other) Beneficial Insects
h?p://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Bulle=ns/
Cover-Cropping-for-Pollinators-and-Beneficial-Insects
borage buckwheat
zinnia
clover
Southern SARE held a cover crop conference in
2016 and all the programs are available online as
bulle=ns or videos: Search for “cover crop” at
h?ps://www.southernsare.org

93. Overwintering
Monarchs
Bumble Bees
The Xerces Society: Ci#zen Science
Migratory Dragonflies Aqua=c Invertebrates

94. Thank You, SSAWG, Farmers & Friends!
southeastern blueberry bee,
Habropoda laboriosa, on redbud
Photo: Nancy Adamson
Remember: Wildflower-rich habitats support beneficial insects & other wildlife
Manage for diverse forage & nes=ng sites, and reduce pes=cide use
h?p://xerces.org/pollinator-conserva=on/
sand wasp on common
milkweed, Asclepias
syriaca
Thanks also to
NRCS & SARE
support for
developing parts
of this program.

95. Photo: Nancy Adamson
Ques#ons? Comments?
I’d love to hear from you!
Dr. Nancy Lee Adamson
nancy@xerces.org
nancy.adamson@gnb.usda.gov
336-370-3443